Prodi addresses Italian Senate

Just a day before a confidence vote in his government, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has addressed the country's Senate. Mr Prodi has promised to change the electoral laws blamed for instability in the country.

According to Mr Prodi, he could do this if he is confirmed as prime minister.

Romano Prodi stepped down last week after losing a key foreign policy vote in the Senate.

However, President Giorgio Napolitano asked Mr Prodi to stay in office and face a confidence vote.

Mr Prodi now has to reconfirm his coalition in parliament, but has a minimal majority in the Senate.

Coalition members who previously opposed Mr Prodi’s policy have backed him in recent days, after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi demanded new elections.